18th. August. 2021. Daily Devotion.

Mark 12:28-33

²⁸ One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’²⁹ ‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. ³¹ The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.’ ³² ‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. ³³ To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’

The purpose of Life

Mine deep enough in every heart and you’ll find it: a longing for meaning, a quest for purpose. As surely as a child breathes, he will someday wonder, “What is the purpose of my life?”

Some search for meaning in a career. “My purpose is to be a dentist.” Fine vocation but hardly a justification for existence. They opt to be a human “doing” rather than a human “being.” Who they are is what they do; consequently they do a lot. They work many hours because if they don’t work, they don’t have an identity.

For others, who they are is what they have. They find meaning in a new car or a new house or new clothes. These people are great for the economy and rough on the budget because they are always seeking meaning in something they own … Some try sports, entertainment, cults, sex, you name it. All mirages in the desert of purpose … Shouldn’t we face the truth? If we don’t acknowledge God, we are flotsam in the universe.
~ from In the Grip of Grace. M Lucado

For Those with Dementia and Their Caretakers

Holy Jesus, look down with love and sympathy on all those who are losing or have lost the function of their mind and memory. Bless them, that they may not suffer distress. Send your Holy Spirit to comfort them in their anger and confusion.

And also bless those who love and care for them. We cannot understand what goes on within their minds, Lord; so help us to understand them, to love them, and to care for them. Give us your eternal patience, that we might provide to them such comfort as is possible, and the strength to help them, day after day, without hope of thanks or recovery. Bless us all in our distress, O Holy Jesus, who always looked with love and sympathy on those with burdens; and lighten our burden, I beseech you, if it be Your will. Amen.

Thanks for God’s Comfort

How near You are in the day of sickness. You Yourself visit the sick; You Yourself bend over the sufferer’s bed. His heart speaks to You, and Your Spirit speaks to him. In the throes of sorrow and suffering You bring peace and unexpected consolation. You are the comforter. You art the love which watches over and heals us. To You we sing the song: Alleluia! Amen.
~ Gregory Petrov, shortly before his death in a prison camp in 1940.